World War II Honoree

Marvin Frank Walton

Branch of Service

U.S. Merchant Marine

Hometown

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Honored By

Roger M. Walton

Relationship

Son

ENTERED THE MERCHANT MARINE SERVICE AUGUST 11, 1942 IN HOUSTON, TEXAS. HE WAS DISCHARGED FROM U.S. COAST GUARD DECEMBER 6, 1945. HE SERVED IN THE ATLANTIC, INDIAN AND PACIFIC OCEANS. HE ALSO SERVED IN THE MEDITERRANEAN, GULF OF MEXICO AND PASSED THROUGH THE SUEZ AND PANAMA CANALS. HE SERVED ON: SS PAN VIRGINIA AND SS E. R. KEMP, SS BIG FOOT WALLACE AND THE DIESEL SHIP CAPE SEBASTIAN. HIS SERVICE HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: WHILE SUPPORTING THE INVASION OF SICILY THE SS BIG FOOT WALLACE WAS THE TARGET (BUT NEAR MISS) OF SEVERAL BOMBING RAIDS; DURING 1943 THE SHIP WAS IN A MAJOR TYPHOON IN THE PACIFIC; THE SS BIG FOOT WALLACE CEREMONIES ASSOCIATED WITH HIS FIRST CROSSING OF THE EQUATOR (PACIFIC) IN 1943; THE APPREHENSION WHILE ON SS E. R. KEMP ASSOCIATED WITH TRANSPORTING AVIATION FUELS AND OTHER FUELS THROUGH SUBMARINE INFESTED WATERS; A WOLF PACK ALERT WAS RECEIVED WHILE CROSSING THE ATLANTIC ON THE SS BIG FOOT WALLACE; THE BOILER SIGHT GLASS EXPLODED RELEASING STEAM AND THE CREW THOUGHT THE SHIP HAD BEEN STRUCK BY TORPEDO. HIS JOB TITLES INCLUDE: MESSMAN, WIPER, OILER; PUMPMAN, JUNIOR ENGINEER AND ASSISTANT ENGINEER.